As regular readers know, I've been focusing a lot on conversation this year. I see it as a tremendous professional development opportunity, but I also think conversations are fun. 

For the past several months, I've been kicking around the idea of bringing together two of my favorite things--food and conversation--into a fun event that would help build connections and community. One of my observations of modern society--at least in the US--is that we don't have opportunities to connect with different people who have had different experiences. Homophily is definitely a problem. 

I've also been frustrated at times with the quality of discussions. We spend an awful lot of time talking about things that don't really matter and not as much time pursuing intriguing questions that help us share our authentic selves and build a sense of community. 

With those thoughts in mind, my husband and I have devised a local event, a Conversation Cafe. We're bringing together 30 strangers to share three courses and three rounds of conversation. For each course, diners will move to a new table where they will meet new people and engage around new questions. It's meant to entertain, challenge, inspire and, most of all, connect people to one another.  

We're planning our first Cafe for September 29, 2012 from 7-9 p.m. If you're in the Philadelphia area and want to join us, registration info is here. We'd love to see you!